Megan Croft has just returned from the Chitwan District in Nepal after working as a volunteer nurse at the Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital. Megan is a 2nd year Bachelor of Nursing student within the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Megan began her journey to Nepal in conjunction with the University's International Leadership Experience and Development Program (iLEAD) and Projects Abroad who helped her to realise her interest in volunteering overseas while completing her studies.

Projects Abroad suggested that Megan should consider visiting either Tanzania or Nepal. Megan chose Nepal and flew into Kathmandu before travelling 8 hours by bus to the Bharatpur Municipality in Chitwan District. Bharatpur Municipality is isolated within a deep valley and the roads were marked by up-turned cars. It was also summer and the Chitwan District is humid with temperatures climbing past 40 degrees.

Projects Abroad had organised for Megan to stay with a family who also worked at the Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital. Upon her arrival Megan was warmly welcomed. Her six week journey volunteering and experiencing Nepal was well underway.

The Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital is currently being expanded and will eventually provide 500 beds with 30 patients per ward. Each ward is attended by 2 registered nurses (RN) and 15 student nurses. Megan volunteered 5 days a week between 7am and 1pm each day and was able to choose where she worked. Megan gained invaluable experience in the surgical, medical and maternity wards, operating theatres and the ICU.

While not volunteering Megan enjoyed travelling throughout the local area with other Australians also volunteering with Projects Abroad.

Megan is now back in Newcastle completing the second year of her Bachelor of Nursing degree while working as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) at Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital. Megan is already planning further study in Midwifery and also hopes to travel to Ethiopia and study further at the Catherine Hamlin's book of the same name.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery wishes Megan every success with her studies and travel.